Desert Hot Springs man recalls playing for Don James

5:27 AM,
Oct. 26, 2013

Martanovic.

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One of the longest-tenured head football coaches in the Pac-10, Don James coached Washington to a National Championship in 1991 and six Pac-10 titles. But what most people might forget is that he coached Kent State to its only MAC title before heading to Seattle.

That's where Desert Hot Springs resident Richard Martanovic crossed paths with the man who became synonymous with Husky football when he took over the Washington job in 1975 after spending four years at Kent State. His 10 bowl victories ranked him fourth all time when he retired in 1992.